Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has declared this upcoming Monday, May 6 as Pediatric Mental Health Awareness Day. The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) also reports that “half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24” and equally as shocking is that for youth ages 10–14, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for this demographic (NAMI, 2019).

For youth, there has been a debate on diagnosing and medicating for their mental health concerns. Many are cautious to intervene too early in the youth’s life in fear that there could be detrimental effects of entering into treatment too early. Being aware that half of many expressions of one’s mental health condition will be noticed before 14 years old is evidence enough that an individual’s needs can present early in life.

Some warning signs that a young person may have mental health needs include (NIMH, 2017):

• Often feels anxious or worried*

• Has very frequent tantrums or is intensely irritable much of the time*

• Has frequent stomachaches or headaches with no physical explanation*

• Is in constant motion, can’t sit quietly for any length of time*

• Has trouble sleeping, including frequent nightmares*

• Loses interest in things he or she used to enjoy*

• Avoids spending time with friends*

• Has trouble doing well in school or grades decline*

• Fears gaining weight; exercises, diets obsessively*

• Has low or no energy*

• Has spells of intense, inexhaustible activity*

• Harms herself/himself, such as cutting or burning her/his skin*

• Engages in risky, destructive behavior*

• Harms self or others*

• Smokes, drinks, or uses drugs*

• Has thoughts of suicide*

• Thinks his or her mind is controlled or out of control hears voices*

Attached to this article below is an infographic from NAMI, which outlines the statistical understanding the need for youth to be evaluated for their mental health needs, as well as receiving the care that they are due.

This post originally appeared on www.GraysonWallen.com/blog/PMHA

*taken directly from NIMH research: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health/index.shtml

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